Covid Documentaries are a unique and refreshing collection of documentary films that explore the natural world, in particular, the animal world. The titles include The First Wave, Flee, and In the Same Breath. Each film is a fascinating and compelling experience. Whether you enjoy the thrill of a chase, the drama of a confrontation, or the quiet beauty of nature, you’ll find something to captivate your imagination in each of these films.
In the Same Breath
“In the Same Breath” is an HBO documentary directed by Nanfu Wang. It examines the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China. The film is part documentary and part personal essay.
In the documentary, Wang uses a simple device to create a compelling, heartbreaking portrait of the pandemic. She juxtaposes actual footage of health care workers with propaganda. This allows the viewer to see how the Chinese government’s response to the outbreak was not only unprofessional, but also disastrous.
While the government in China is determined to control the narrative, those who speak out are subjected to intimidation. They even face the wrath of the police.
The documentary is a riveting look at how two nations respond to a public health emergency. The film is part of the Oscar shortlist for best documentary feature. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021 and will air on HBO on August 18, 2021.
The film traces the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been blamed for a number of deadly epidemics in the United States. While the film is not a comprehensive account of the outbreak, it does provide a nuanced and critical view.
Nanfu Wang’s film is a powerful and passionate exploration of the pandemic and its impact on citizens. It is also an analysis of mismanagement, political failure, and the destruction of misinformation.
The First Wave
The First Wave of Covid documentaries is a feature-length documentary from Matthew Heineman that will be released by NEON later this year in partnership with NatGeo Films. It tells the story of the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It follows a team of doctors and nurses as they battle the epidemic inside the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens. During this time, the hospital received more COVID deaths than any other country.
As the pandemic unfolds, doctors, nurses and patients must navigate the crisis. “The First Wave” is a documentary that explores the structural factors that lead to the outbreak. This includes the impact of the Mexican drug cartels on the United States.
Despite the scale of the pandemic, the film never lets the audience forget that humans are still adaptable. In one scene, a dying patient video chats with his family via an iPad. When a police officer’s wife is quarantined, the husband and wife are able to Facetime each other.
The film shows the impact of the COVID on Black, Latinx and immigrant communities of New York City. The film also honors the frontline health care workers who are fighting to save lives.
Matthew Heineman’s The First Wave will be available to watch free on ABC station apps from midnight ET Thursday through midnight ET Saturday. The documentary will include a special message from Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
“Flee”
One of the best films of the year is a Danish animated documentary called Flee. This film tells the story of an Afghan refugee named Amin. His journey starts with fleeing from war-torn Afghanistan as a young boy, moving to different countries and learning to live in Europe. He eventually found his way to Denmark where he lives now.
“Flee” was the first animated film to receive three Oscar nominations, including Best Documentary Feature and Best International Feature. It also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021.
“Flee” tells a tale about a boy whose family was forced to flee from Afghanistan in the 1990s. When the Taliban took over, the family was told to lie about their sexual orientation. In exchange, they were given asylum.
“Flee” explores the difficulties faced by refugees, and reveals the truth behind unreliable news reporting. It presents parallels to contemporary geopolitics.
The film won the Best Nonfiction Film at the IDA Documentary Awards, which was streamed in a virtual ceremony on Friday night. While Flee has received acclaim for its subject matter, it is not without its faults.
At times, it feels more like a Drawn & Quarterly graphic novel than a documentary. Though the story of Amin is interesting, the animation style of Flee is unoriginal.